General discussion about Usagi Yojimbo, the comics, the stories, the characters, collectibles, TV appearances, Stan Sakai, Space Usagi, Nilson & Hermy, and all other related topics.
After having re-read all Usagi issues from Grasscutter II to current, I got to thinking. What would it be like for Usagi to "settle down" and serve a lord once more? For 20 years we have enjoyed Usagi adventures as a ronin, but I wonder about what interesting stories Stan could come up with having Usagi return to service. Certainly Lord Noriyuki would be ideal as Usagi respects him and there would be the added bonus of Tomoe. Not to mention the job has been offered before. A story similar to this has been done successfully in Space Usagi.
Perhaps Usagi and Noriyuki both come to realize that to eventually stop the likes of Lord Hikiji is to combine forces. This could also be a means for Usagi to protect those he cares about. Noriyuki could eventually rally great samurai to his service for an eventual show down. Imagine Usagi and Gen serving a lord. It would make for great comedy and drama, maybe even some romance. What if Usagi had to serve alongside someone he once considered an enemy?
This was all just a product of my bored, yet imaginative, little mind!
Things need not have happened to be true. Stories and dreams are what will endure when mere facts are dust and forgotten.
I for one would support this idea. Usagi in the service of a Lord again would breath some fresh air into his wandering lifestyle. The thing is, having Usagi wander around looking for adventure simply offers up more story potential than having him settle down as an employed samurai again. He's already stated he believes a samurai should serve only one Lord in his lifetime, hence why he has not sought out other employment. Besides that, if he were to settle down, you somewhat limit what you can do with the stories. It is a great idea though. Perhaps one day we can be treated to some flashback stories when Usagi served under Lord Mifune.
Sometimes Usagi will act as a samurai in service of Lord Noriyuki, so you actually get that type of story every now and then; fills that niche quite nicely.
One question that I've always pondered is, how would we be able to get Usagi to serve a Lord? His belief system won't allow it. But perhaps there is another way. Maybe one day Usagi finds himself in a struggle between life and death, and it is Noriyuki himself who saves him. In that case, Usagi would owe his life to the Geishu Lord. Noriyuki need only ask Usagi to serve under him to repay the debt. It's a loophole I hope Stan would consider exploring!!
Another idea...consider Jotaro going off to serve under Lord Noriyuki...I wonder if that would influence Usagi in any way? Or throw an even bigger curveball...Jotaro going off to serve under Lord Hikiji (Usagi's Village, as well as Katsuichi's territory, all fall under Hikiji's domain).
I can certainly understand that it would be harder to bring the adventure to Usagi, rather than having Usagi find the adventure. So I would suggest do it all as "mystical vision thing." Usagi encounters a demon or spirit who reveals to him the potential future consequences of him settling down with Jotaro. One of the resulting actions could be, as you mentioned Todd, having Jotaro working for Hikiji and Usagi somewhat forced to side with Noriyuki with father pitted against son. It may sound a bit cliched, but I know Stan just does not do cliched. It could be a way to give us fans a few things we have all been wanting.
Things need not have happened to be true. Stories and dreams are what will endure when mere facts are dust and forgotten.
